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Celebrate Memorial Day in San Francisco

San Francisco will be the setting for
traditional Memorial Day commemorative ceremonies this weekend and a few
non-traditional festivities as well. For a complete calendar of events,
visit www.sanfrancisco.travel.

May 28, 2011Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: Asian American Orchestra (AAO)This
16-member ensemble brings a multicultural view to 12 compositions
written by ad/or associated with John Coltrane in “India & Africa: A
Tribute to John Coltrane.” At this performance AAO will showcase North
and South Indian instrumentalists and African percussion in new
arrangements of classic Coltrane compositions including “After the Rain”
and “Living Space.”Admission: Free concert, 1-2:30 p.m.Location:
Yerba Buena Gardens, Esplanade, Fourth and Mission streets. Pack a
picnic and remember the sunscreen, hats and shades. For information
visit www.ybgf.org or call 415-543-1718.

May 28-29, 2011Carnaval “Live Your Fantasy” Now
in its third decade San Francisco Carnaval, presented by San Francisco
Cultural Arts Traditions (SFCAT), is a long-standing Memorial Day
tradition – although it’s anything but traditional. From May 28-29
California’s largest multi-cultural celebration encourages everyone to
“Live Your Fantasy.” Presiding over the Grand Parade on May 29 will be
Grand Marshal Dr. Ana Maria Polo, one of Hispanic television’s most
prestigious personalities. The 2011 Grand Parade will also an
opportunity to see the San Francisco Giants’ 2010 World Series trophy
accompanied by Giants’ mascot Lou Seal. Carnaval is a free, family
friendly event. On Saturday and Sunday, the San Francisco Carnaval
Festival will offer food, music, dance, art, crafts and other fun
activities and events on several stages for the entire family to enjoy.
Spanning seven blocks, the San Francisco Carnaval Festival will take
place on Harrison Street between 16th and 23rd streets (10 a.m.-6 p.m.).
This year’s festival highlights include three stages of continuous
live music from around the globe, salsa dance classes and competitions,
children’s activities and much more. The Grand Parade takes place on
Sunday, May 29 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of 24th and Bryant
streets where it will proceed west to Mission Street. From there, the
parade heads north on Mission down to 17th Street, where it will turn
east and flow into the festival area. Admission: Festival and parade
are free; bleacher seats ($30) are available. For tickets and
information visit www.sfcarnaval.com or call 415-642-1748.

May 28-29, 2011Treasure Island Flea Marketplace Treasure
Island, renowned as the site of the 1939 World’s Fair, will welcome a
new attraction on Memorial Day weekend — the Treasure Island Flea
marketplace. Hundreds of local Bay Area purveyors are being courted for
the debut. In addition to antiques and collectibles there will be new
independent designer merchandise, handmade one-of-a-kind items,
repurposed and up-cycled goods, shabby chic and French garden pieces,
home dcor, emerging designers, art, specialty food providers and more.
Co-founders Angie and Charles Ansanelli are curating an experience
where shoppers will be able to connect directly with designers and
collectors, while offering a blend of local entertainment and special
events. The open-air market will be held on Treasure Island, Avenue of
the Palms, May 28-29, 2011, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and the last weekend of every
month thereafter. Admission: $3, 12 and under free. Parking is free. For information visit www.treasureislandflea.com or call 415-898-0245.

May 29, 2011USS San Francisco MemorialAn
annual event since 1950 the USS San Francisco Memorial Foundation’s
ceremony is at noon. Built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard the USS San
Francisco (CA-38) participated in almost every Pacific battle from
Pearl Harbor to the end of WWII. James Hornfischer, author of “Neptune’s
Inferno,” a detailed recounting of the U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, is the
featured speaker.Admission: FreeLocation: The USS San Francisco
Memorial Park, which was renamed this year after a $3 million
“overhaul,” is located at Lands End off Camino del Mar in the Golden
Gate National Recreation Area, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. For
directions and information visit www.usssanfrancisco.org or call
415-863-8371.

May 29, 2011Golden Gate Park BandAmerican standards are on the bill today. Pack a picnic and make sure to include some classic summertime favorites.Admission: Free concert, 1 p.m.Location: Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park. For information visit www.goldengateparkband.org.

Memorial Day, May 30, 2011Presidio Memorial Day CeremonyThe
official San Francisco Memorial Day Ceremony will take place on Monday,
May 30 at the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio, 1
Lincoln Blvd. Events start at 10:30 a.m. with a parade led by the 191st
Army Band pipes and drums from the Main Post Parade Ground at Montgomery
and Sheridan Streets to the cemetery. The formal program begins at 11
a.m. in the cemetery; it will feature music, a color guard and remarks
by Rev. Dr. John L. Young, of the Presidio Interfaith Center. The
ceremony concludes at noon with a 21-gun salute by the U.S. Army 5th
Brigade 75th Division. Following the ceremony, light refreshments
and a spiritual service sponsored by the Interfaith Center will be held
at the nearby Presidio Chapel. From 12:45-1:30 p.m. there will be music
in the chapel and groups serving veterans, including the Coming Home
Project, Swords to Plowshares and Troops to College, will be on hand. Admission: FreeLocation:
Parking has changed due to Main Post construction. Free shuttle service
will be available from parking areas around the Main Post to the
National Cemetery. For information visit www.presidio.gov or call
415-561-5418.

Memorial Day, May 30, 2011Submarine “Lost Boat” CeremonyAt
10:30 a.m. join submarine veterans in the “Lost Boat” ceremony aboard
the USS Pampanito, honoring comrades and submarines lost at sea. This
moving ceremony features 65 bell tolls for each boat and crew on
“eternal patrol.” Butch Howard, Captain, USN (Ret.), will be the guest
speaker.Admission: The ceremony is free and open to the public. Location:
The USS Pampanito is located at Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 45, Taylor
Street and The Embarcadero. For information visit www.maritime.org or
call 415-775-1943 ext. 13 or RSVP at lostboats@maritime.org.

Memorial Day, May 30, 201116th Annual California Blues Festival Come
prepared to join folks from many diverse communities enjoying a day of
live entertainment and plenty of fun in the sun. This event brings
together the best of the best in entertainment from the Bay Area blues
community.Admission: Free, noon-6 p.m. Location: Hamilton Park at 1900 Geary Blvd. between Scott and Pierce streets. For information visit http://sfrecpark.org/calendar.aspx.

Memorial Day, May 30, 2011USS Hornet Museum CeremoniesVeterans
of past and present wars will be honored during a special Memorial Day
service at 1 p.m. onboard the USS Hornet Museum. A National Historic
Landmark, the USS Hornet is one of America’s most decorated ships.
Families can experience naval history and space exploration firsthand
with authentic aircraft, Apollo exhibit and flight simulator. Admission:
Admission ranges from $6 to $15, children 4 and under free with paying
adult; group rates available. The ship is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location:
The USS Hornet is berthed at Pier 3, Alameda Point, Alameda. For
information visit www.hornetevents.com or call 510-521-8448

The San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide is available
at the Visitor Information Center, 900 Market St., at the corner of
Powell and Market streets, lower level, Hallidie Plaza. A virtual
edition of the guide is also available online: http://guides.weaver-group.com/sf/ovg2/2010/
A visitor’s kit may also be ordered online at www.sanfrancisco.travel,
by phone at 415-391-2000 or 415-392-0328 (TTY/TTD), by written request
to the San Francisco Visitor Information Center, 900 Market St., San
Francisco, CA 94102, or via email to vic1@sanfrancisco.travel. Domestic
and international shipping charges apply.